Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt catches Marquez Callaway (1) as he comes off the field against East Tennessee State Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. MICHAEL PATRICK /NEWS SENTINEL

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) runs down the field during the Tennessee Volunteers' game against West Virginia in the Belk College Kickoff at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. Brianna Paciorka / News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) scrambles for the ball after fumbling it during a game between Tennessee and LSU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) runs to get his helmet which fell off during a play during the Tennessee vs. Kentucky game at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017. CAITIE MCMEKIN/NEWS SENTINEL

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1)is helped off the field after injuring himself during the Tennessee Volunteers vs. Georgia Bulldogs game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, September 30, 2017. Caitie McMekin, Knoxville News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. BRIANNA PACIORKA/NEWS SENTINEL

This is part of a series counting down the 10 most important Vols for the 2018 season.

No. 6

WR Marquez Callaway

2017 stats: 24 receptions, 406 yards, 5 TDs

Why he matters

Few would have predicted after last season's opener that Marquez Callaway would finish the year with 406 receiving yards. He seemed destined for much more after he caught four passes for 115 yards in Tennessee's 42-41 victory over Georgia Tech to begin the season.

But Callaway's production, much like that of the offense overall, declined rapidly.

Of course, it was hard to get a feel for what Tennessee's receivers could do last season. Pass protection was shoddy, leaving quarterbacks often under duress, and the quarterbacks' play was mediocre.

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Vanderbilt Commodores offensive tackle Justin Skule is interviewed during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga., Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores offensive tackle Justin Skule is interviewed during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga., Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores safety LaDarius Wiley is interviewed during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga., Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive lineman D J Wonnum speaks with media members during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga., Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel speaks with media members during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga., Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Deebo Samuel speaks with media members during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga., Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Jake Bentley speaks with media members during the SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga., Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Jake Bentley speaks with media members during the SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga., Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Dontavius Russell answers questions during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Dontavius Russell answers questions during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn Tigers quarterback Jarrett Stidham answers questions during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Will Muschamp talks to the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Will Muschamp talks to the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 19, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA college football head coach Derek Mason of Vanderbilt speaks during the Southeastern Conference Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Thursday, July 19, 2018. Associated Press

NCAA college football head coach Derek Mason of Vanderbilt speaks during the Southeastern Conference Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Thursday, July 19, 2018. Associated Press

NCAA college football head coach Derek Mason of Vanderbilt speaks during the Southeastern Conference Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Thursday, July 19, 2018. Associated Press

NCAA college football head coach Derek Mason of Vanderbilt speaks during the Southeastern Conference Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Thursday, July 19, 2018. (AP Photo/John Amis) John Amis, AP

Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 10, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 10, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 19, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 10, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 19, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 10, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 10, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 10, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Derek Mason addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, July 10, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock answers questions from reporters during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 18, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers linebacker Terez Hall reacts as he answers questions from reporters during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris talks to the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Anfernee Jennings talks to the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide center Ross Pierschbacher talks to members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri Tigers head coach Barry Odom speaks to the media from the main stage during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 18, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Barry Odom speaks to the media from the main stage during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban arrives on the blue carpet during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA college football head coach Nick Saban of Alabama is greeted by a fan as he arrives at the Southeastern Conference Media Days before speaking Wednesday, July 18, 2018, in Atlanta. Associated Press

Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Marquez Callaway answers questions from members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Marquez Callaway answers questions from members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Kyle Phillips answers questions from members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers tight end Eli Wolf answers questions from members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers tight end Eli Wolf answers questions from members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers tight end Eli Wolf answers questions from members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers tight end Eli Wolf answers questions from members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Kyle Phillips answers questions from members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Kyle Phillips answers questions from members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Kyle Phillips answers questions from members of the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt addresses the media during SEC Football Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt shakes hands with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey on his way to the main stage during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive end Gerri Green talks to the media members during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive end Gerri Green talks to the media members during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Mark McLaurin talks to the media members during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Joe Moorhead speaks to the media during SEC football media day at College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Joe Moorhead speaks to the media during SEC football media day at College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Florida defensive lineman Cece Jefferson is interviewed during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference media days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. (AP Photo/John Amis) John Amis, AP

Florida offensive lineman Martez Ivey is interviewed during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference media days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. (AP Photo/John Amis) John Amis, AP

Florida linebacker David Reese is interviewed during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference media days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. (AP Photo/John Amis) John Amis, AP

Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter takes questions from the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back J R Reed signs an autograph for a fan during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

SEC Coordinator of Football Officials Steve Shaw addresses the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga, Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 16, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron talks to the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga, Monday, July 16, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron (left) shakes hands with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga, Monday, July 16, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Kentucky football helmet awaiting the arrival of head coach Mark Stoops during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga, Monday, July 16, 2018. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher signs autographs for fans as he arrives for NCAA college football Southeastern Conference media days at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Monday, July 16, 2018. John Bazzemore/AP

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher addresses the media and answers questions during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame on July 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Ga. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher addresses the media and answers questions during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame on July 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Ga. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 16, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; SEC commissioner Greg Sankey answers a question for the media during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame on July 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Ga. Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports

Offensive coordinator Tyson Helton has said he wants the Vols to test defenses more with downfield passes. Callaway is someone who can help on that front. The Vols just need him to return to the form he showed against Georgia Tech.